Software Process
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General Overview

This course provides a conceptual framework and practical experience in a full range of stoftware development and assessment activities from a systems engineering approach.  By examining real-world examples and employing professionally accepted techniques, students should become conversant with issues confronting software practitioners and the wider public.

Instructor

Nancy Harris - Professor Harris worked for a software company for 16 years prior to joining the faculty at JMU. Detailed contact information can be found on the NHarris Home link to the left.

Prerequisites

Overall Objectives

This course supports the following Computer Science departmental objectives:

Description of course policies and practices

I believe that the role of the instructor of a course is to guide students to develop their interest in and understanding of the course material.  Within that philosophy, you will find that I don't lecture a lot, nor do I provide students with "the answer".  Discovering the answers is part of the job of being a student.  

To that end, students should read the assigned readings BEFORE the class period in which we will discuss them.  Class attendance is mandatory, although formal attendance will rarely be taken.  Classroom work will include some lecture, some activity and problem solving on the part of the students, and in some cases, opportunities to work on a part of the project with your team.  

There will be a major software development project included as a major grade for this class.  This project will require teamwork among members of each team and cooperation among teams in the class.  

We will use Blackboard and the web as a means of communicating. Announcements for class will be made on the Blackboard announcements page or the course web page if Blackboard is unavailable. Any other announcement that you receive through other means (such as e-mail) is suspect unless confirmed by Blackboard or the course web page. If I send an e-mail to the class as a whole, I will also put the text into a Blackboard or web announcement.

For a full set of my class policies, see the general policies link to the left of this page.  

NOTE: Collaboration will be a major component of this class.  Work that is turned in for credit should include the names of ALL of the contributors to that assignment.  Work that must be done individually will be noted as such in the assignment and must be the student's own work.  Cheating in any form will be dealt with within the policies of the JMU Honor Code.  

Textbook and Required Material

REQUIRED: Pressman, Roger S. (2010):
Software Engineering: A Practioner's Approach. 7th ed. McGraw-Hill. ISBN 978-0-07+337597. Provides the theoretical framework for class discussions and details that may not be covered in class.  Available from the bookstore and a few online sites.  We will make extensive use of this book.
Additional book materials:
http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0073375977/information_center_view0/
JAC Card:
There may be times that you need to print a worksheet, a completed assignment or other work. You must have your JAC card with you and some money on it for printing. Make sure that you have a couple of dollars on the card each day. JAC cards can be loaded in cash at the DART machine located in the HHS basement and other places around campus. Printing can also be done in the Copy Center located on the first floor of the HHS building.

Grading

Grading will be based on a point system.  Each assignment, test, and project will have an assigned point value associated with it.  Accumulate points to achieve an A, B, etc.  See the Employment Agreement for points breakdown and what is needed to acheive each possible grade.

“A” … 34,000 points or greater

“B” … 31,000 points or greater

“C” … 28,000 points or greater

“D” … 25,000 points or greater

“F” … fewer than 25,000 points.


Class Policies and Student Success

See the link to the left for general instructor policies. Specific policies and items which will insure your success in this class are:

  • Come to class, prepared.  As with the jobs you will have when you leave JMU, attendance and preparation are expected.  You will get points for regular attendance and doing the assigned work.  Weekly assignments are worth about 40% of your grade.
  • Planned Absence - If you must be absent for class for legitimate reasons (school related activity, religious observance, important family event) see me BEFORE the absence if you need to turn work in on a different schedule.
  • Unplanned Absence - If you are ill, please do not come to class.  Let me know as soon as possible so that you can obtain any missed work.   I will try to work with you to make up missed work in the case of illness.  There are 2 allowed absences during the course of the semester.
  • Late assignments - All homework is due at the beginning of class on the day that it is due. No late assignments will be accepted for credit, although I will review late assignments at your request to help you learn. For project deliverables, late assignments will have a per day late penalty associated with them.
  • Exams - We have three performance appraisals during the semester, two mid semester and one final.  
  • Honor Code - I report ALL incidents of academic dishonesty to the Honor Council. If the violation is severe, I will refer it to the Honor Council for formal resolution. Less severe violations may be handled informally. If you know of cheating in this class, it is your responsibility to let the instructor know as soon as possible. If you are involved in a situation where you are not sure if what you did was right, please see me.
  • Extra Credit - I generally do not have extra credit opportunities. 
  • Student Success - You will be successful in this class if you:
    • Attend class each day.
    • Ask for help when you need it. I have plenty of office hours and am happy to make a special appointment if you cannot meet during normal office hours.
    • If you need additional resources to help you with your learning, let me know. Additional reference books may be placed in the library upon request or I may loan books to individuals.  I have gathered a number of materials both through my education and as an employee related to software engineering, management, quality, and other related topics.

Students with Disabilities:If you are a student with a documented disability, who will be requesting accommodations in my class, please make sure you are registered with the Office of Disability Services, Wilson Hall, Room 107 (568-6705) and provide me with a copy of your Access Plan letter outlining your accommodations. I will be glad to meet with you privately during my office hours to discuss your special needs. The sooner you can do this, the better I can assist you in meeting your learning goals in this course.

Student Responsibility: Student are responsible for adding and dropping courses via e-campus. The last day to add a course for the Fall 2009 semester is Thursday, Sept 10, 2009 (signatures required after Tuesday, Sept 1, 2009). The last day to drop a course for the Fall 2009 semester with a "W" grade is Thursday, Oct 22. I do not give "WP" or "WF" grades to students requesting a drop for poor performance after the deadline.

Religious Observance: Students who are unable to attend class due to religious observance may request deadline extensions BEFORE the expected absence. I will do my best to accommodate your special circumstances.

For clarification of these and other instructor policies please refer to the policies link.